Abstract

As an indispensable means of communication in international trade, business correspondence always adheres to the “Seven Cs” principle, namely, Consideration, Courtesy, Clarity, Correctness, Conciseness, Concreteness and Completeness. People usually hold the view that vague language should be avoided in business correspondence. However, researches have found out that vague language, to a great extent, adds flexibility and appropriateness to business communication, thus making correspondence more polite and persuasive. Therefore, it is of great significance to analyze vague language, the seemingly contradictory linguistic phenomenon, in business correspondence from the pragmatic perspective.

Based on Adaptation Theory, the thesis makes both quantitative and qualitative analysis of vague language used in five common types of business correspondence. The quantitative research, an analysis of statistical data of vague language used, shows the difference in its distribution, whereas the qualitative research explains the application of vague language in business correspondence.

The research attributes the difference in the distribution of vague language in various business correspondence to different purposes of business communications. In terms of the frequency of vague language use, correspondence for establishing business relations is the highest, followed by inquiry and offer, counter-offer and counter-counter-offer, shipment and delivery, acceptance and order respectively. The use of vague language is a necessary result of language selection and a pragmatic adaptation to the mental, physical and social world of language users. Instead of getting in the way of communication, vague language if properly used, contributes to an efficient, effective and smooth business communication.

    Key Words: Adaptation Theory; vague language; business correspondence

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1 Introduction-1

1.1 Background of the study-1

1.2 Objectives of the study-2

2 Literature review-2

2.1 Vague language-2

2.1.1 Definition of vague language-2

2.1.2 Clarification of the distinctions between vague language and other relevant terms-3

2.2 Business correspondence-4

2.2.1 Definition of business correspondence-4

2.2.2 Classifications of business correspondence-5

2.2.3 Basic principles for business correspondence writing-5

2.3 Previous researches on vague language in business correspondence-6

3 Verschueren’s Adaptation Theory-7

3.1 Definition of Adaptation Theory-7

3.2 Three notions of Adaptation Theory-7

3.2.1 Variability-7

3.2.2 Negotiability-8

3.2.3 Adaptability-8

4 Applications of Adaptation Theory to vague language in business correspondence-8

4.1 A quantitative study of vague language in business correspondence-9

4.1.1 Vague language in establishing business relations-9

4.1.2 Vague language in inquiry and offer-10

4.1.3 Vague language in counter-offer and counter-counter-offer-11

4.1.4 Vague language in acceptance and order-12

4.1.5 Vague language in shipment and delivery-12

4.2 A qualitative study of vague language in business correspondence-13

4.2.1 Vague language as a pragmatic adaptation to mental world-13

4.2.2 Vague language as a pragmatic adaptation to physica world-14

4.2.3 Vague language as a pragmatic adaptation to social world-14

5 Pragmatic functions of vague language in business correspondence-15

5.1 Enhancing the appropriateness of business language-15

5.2 Making the writing more polite and persuasive-15

5.3 Ensuring self-protection-16

6 Conclusion-16

6.1 Major findings-17

6.2 Limitations-17

References.19